Happier in Hollywood

Ep. 468: Schrodinger’s Cat Is Alive! Sort of.

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are wrapping their heads around the fact that in New Hollywood previously declared dead projects may come back to life unexpectedly. Tha...

Ep. 467: Let’s Celebrate Mimsy May!

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every week on the podcast Liz and Sarah mention “how they balance a career and friendship.” They usually talk about the career part, but today the...

Ep. 466: 10 Things We Don’t Feel Bad About Anymore

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are entering Phase Two of working on their novel, Bad Trip. Next up? They have a plan to be done tracking each character through the sto...

Ep. 466: 10 Things We Don’t Feel Bad About Anymore

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are entering Phase Two of working on their novel, Bad Trip. Next up? They have a plan to be done tracking each character through the sto...

Ep. 465: Help! We Need Book Therapy!

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to their thriller writing mentor and book therapist, best-selling author Greer Hendricks, about how to approach tense and point of ...

Ep. 464: Meet Our Pitch Coach!

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah sit down with their amazing pitch coach, Jordana Oberman, to talk about how to create and deliver a pitch that will actually sell. One p...

Ep. 463: Doubling Down On Our Novel Deadline!

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah finally have some momentum on their novel, Bad Trip, about a group of friends who travel to Peru to do ayahuasca. And they’re...

Ep. 462: Begone Inner Censor!

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have decided to confront their inner censors! One way to free their minds? Natalie’s Goldberg’s daily ten minute writing pra...

Ep. 461: Ebbs, Flows, & “Sheetography”

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the ebb and flow of Hollywood. Careers here can die and then come back to life bigger than ever. Then they talk to Intimacy Coor...

Ep. 460: The Inside Board Is Everything

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah recently learned the concept of an “Inside Board.” From now on, whenever they run a show they’ll be forming one. In Ta...

Ep. 459: The Cat Is Dead, But Verticals Are Alive!

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah got news that their Netflix pilot isn’t moving forward, and they expected to be devastated… but they’re totally and c...

Ep. 458: Find The Fun & The 80% Promise Method

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lately, Liz and Sarah are finding the fun in their work, and today they break down the reasons why — setting priorities, taking ownership, embra...

Ep. 457: Community V. Engagement & Working Outside

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lately, Liz and Sarah have been loving their work community! From the HIH Facebook Group to the Killer Bee Zoom Work Hours and Live BTS: Working Lunch...

Ep. 456: Don’t Water Dead Roses

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have turned in another draft of their pilot to Netflix, which means once again they’re in a suspended “Schroedinger’s ...

Ep. 455: Remix ‘26 & Zen Gardening

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are happy to report that a feeling of positivity (at least regarding their life in Hollywood) has descended upon them in 2026. So far th...

Ep. 454: Hollywood Hack Jackpot!

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hacks, hacks, and more hacks! Liz and Sarah have been saving up Hollywood Hacks, and today they reveal them all! Looking for an inexpensive Chardonnay...

Ep. 453: Go Behind The Scenes With Liz & Sarah!

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss their recent ChexMix ‘26 at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai. They covered everything from how to tackle getting a draft of ...

Ep. 452: Buying In & Chickening Out

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss what they learned about New Hollywood in 2025 and how those lessons are impacting their approach to 2026. The key? Buy in! In Ta...

Ep. 451: ChexMix ‘26 — Looking Back & Looking Forward

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are continuing their tradition of Roar ‘24 and Hive ‘25 with ChexMix ‘26. In a few days, they’ll spend the night...

Ep. 450: Celebrating 450 Episodes!

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are celebrating 450 episodes of Happier In Hollywood by sharing listeners’ favorite takeaways (and a few of their own). Some winne...

Ep. 449: Winter 2025 Listener Questions!

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah dive into the Mailroom with an all listener questions episode! What are their top tips for making sure your voice is heard in a meeting?...

Ep. 448: Be The Killer Bee

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before Liz and Sarah dive into the episode, Liz shares the sad news of her dad’s recent death and thanks listeners for the outpouring of love an...

Ep. 447: Networking Up: It’s Scary! (Do It Anyway)

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Executive Coach and Friend of the Pod Michael Melcher joins Sarah to discuss the benefits of networking up. Making connections with higher ups is inti...

Ep. 446: Thanksgiving Listener Hacks Bonanza!

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Thanksgiving! Liz and Sarah share a veritable cornucopia of practical hacks from listeners. Some faves? Use a hotel room pants hanger to clip th...

Ep. 445: Fighting The War Of Attrition

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every episode, Liz and Sarah refer to winning the “war of attrition.” Today they discuss concrete ways to get IN that war — you can&...

Ep. 444: HIH 2025 Gift Guide!

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘Tis the season for gift giving! Liz and Sarah share their favorite gifts of 2025 — everything from a Hori Hori Knife to a Hot Potato Shoc...

Ep. 443: How To Be Pitch Perfect

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have SO MANY pitches coming up! They decided to hire Pitch Coach, Jordana Oberman, to help them up their game. And they’re so glad...

Ep. 442: Sucking It Up

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a recent rude encounter related to one of their projects, Liz and Sarah talk about how sometimes you just have to suck it up. (Being able to see...

Ep. 441: More Notes & Celebrating Steps Along The Way

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recently Liz and Sarah discussed how the rubber was meeting the road on their Netflix pilot. They were sure they were done with the notes process and ...

Ep. 440: Pitch Decks & Meeting IRL

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about how they approach constructing pitch decks — finding the perfect photo is Sarah’s superpower! In Take A Hike, the...

Ep 439: Pitch Prep & Define Your Eras

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah delve into one of the key aspects of prepping for a TV pitch— the questions and answers that follow your presentation. Pro tip? Be...

Ep. 438: Convergence & The Control Your Algorithm Challenge

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have been pingponging around on various projects for months. Now several of their projects are converging, and it’s controlled cha...

Ep. 437: The Curse Of Hearing Good Things & Pivoting

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are hearing a trickle of good things about their pilot script, which means… absolutely nothing. They discuss how to regulate thei...

Ep. 436: Do Or Die Time

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are waiting for a reaction to the latest draft of their Netflix pilot, and this is when the rubber hits the road. Either something good ...

Ep. 435: TV Pitches & An Epic Mahjong Journey

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the process of writing a new TV pitch and explain why it takes so damn long to get one done. In Take A Hike, they share listener...

Ep. 434: AI Images & Living Vicariously

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent survey from the WGA prompted them to try using AI to make images for their latest pitch deck. In Take A Hike, th...

Ep. 433: Batching & Birthday Celebrations

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by recent conversations with other Content Creators, Liz and Sarah talk about their determination to start “batching,” especially...

Ep. 432: Make A Laugh List & Councilman Nazarian on Bringing Back Production

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian about what he’s doing to bring production back to Los Angeles — including tax...

Ep. 431: Navigating New Hollywood With Tepper

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to social media star Kristen Tepper about navigating Hollywood from the point of view of a writer who’s kicking ass and makin...

Ep. 430: Feeling Invigorated & Oh Sh*t Moments

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss feeling invigorated by the new slate of projects they’re working on. Right now they’re basking in a creative bubble ...

Ep. 429: When Our Job Interferes With Our Career

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about how lately their job has been interfering with their career. So many Zooms! They realize that the new Hollywood definitely ha...

Ep. 428: Summer 2025 Listener Questions Episode!

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are answering Listener Questions! How common are writing teams? If they weren’t writers, what other Hollywood job would they like ...

Ep. 427: Don’t Delete & More Crying At Work

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s important never to delete anything substantial. They never know when they’re going to want to put someth...

Ep. 426: Waiting For The Parade

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss what their career has in common with the annual Ojai Fourth of July Parade. Then, in a Day In The Life segment, they share how t...

Ep. 425: Novel July & Upside Of The Downslide

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah share their plan to spend all of July finishing a solid draft of their novel. It’s time to get it done! In Take A Hike, they talk ...

Ep. 424: Crying At Work & Transition Rituals

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss whether or not it’s okay to cry at work. Does Gen Z feel crying is more acceptable? And what does it have to do with sexis...

Ep. 423: No Right Way & Revisiting Whimsy

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss how writing the third draft of their pilot has made them realize there’s no right way to do something creative. There are ...

Ep. 422: The Downside Of Deadlines & Grow Something

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss the downside of being deadline driven. They love a deadline, but sometimes creative projects need more room to breathe than a de...

Ep. 421: Priority Lists & Slow Starts

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s useful to make a list of priorities. They made a project priority list during their recent Hive ‘25, and...

Ep. 420: Spring 2025 Listener Questions Episode!

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah answer listener questions! If they could write a crossover of any two shows, what would they be? Have they ever hated their job or thoug...

Listen Again: Liz & Sarah’s Most “Hollywood” Hollywood Moments

24 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah revisit some of their most “Hollywood” Hollywood moments, from getting yelled at by famous actors t...

Ep. 419: When Stars Align & Immersion Events

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to best-selling author and friend of the pod, Melissa de la Cruz, about the state of publishing, her new novel When Stars Alig...

Ep. 418: Liz’s Face Blindness Challenge & Career Lessons With Laverne

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about one of Liz’s biggest work hurdles — mild face blindness. It can be quite awkward when she doesn’t recognize...

Ep. 417: Going For It & Giving Good Bio

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah discuss how watching their former co-worker, actor Walton Goggins, “go for it” on screen makes them want to go for it in the...

Ep. 416: Work Albatrosses & AI Family Crests

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about how to figure out if something in your work life is an albatross, and what you can do to get rid of it. One tip? Force yourse...

Ep. 415: Strategic Planning (A.K.A. Our Corporate Vision Board)

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood manager, Executive Director of The Julia Child Foundation, and friend-of-the-pod Todd Schulkin about strategic plannin...

Ep. 414: Busy Bees & Reframing Imperfection

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah continue to embrace this year’s team theme — Flower & Fly 2025 — by thinking of themselves as busy bees. Their org...

Ep. 413: Networking Event Tips & Our Team Muse

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah share networking event tips for those who don’t particularly like networking events. Some ideas? Look at the guest list beforehand...

Ep. 412: Read Like You’re A College Student

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are getting ready to pitch a show, and they’re battling the bad feeling that nothing will sell. They remind themselves that no mat...

Ep.411: Supercommunicating With Charles Duhigg

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Pulitzer Prize winning writer, Charles Duhigg, about his fantastic book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of...

Ep. 410: What The Hell Is Substack & Project Warning Signs

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and Liz are Substack zealots, but they realize many listeners don’t even know what Substack is — six months ago, they’d barely...

Ep. 409: Secrets Of Adulthood With Gretchen Rubin

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Gretchen Rubin, aka Liz’s sister, about her fantastic new book of witty and thought-provoking aphorisms, Secrets of Adulth...

Ep. 408: Career Transitions With Laverne McKinnon

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood veteran and career coach Laverne McKinnon about career transitions, career grief, and the tumult happening in Hollywoo...

Ep. 407: Video Anxiety & Going Down The Road

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have video anxiety! They’ve started making at least two videos a week for their new Substack venture, and it’s a learning cu...

Ep. 406: Stop The Stewing!

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all tortured ourselves by stewing over something we said or did — or didn’t say or didn’t do. It’s time to stop th...

Ep. 405: A Workspace Of One’s Own

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah talks about how much her work life has improved since she got an office space in downtown Ojai — and how it’s made her realize that ...

Ep. 404: Listener Questions Winter 2025!

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are answering all of your questions! What advice do they have for someone new to Hollywood given the state of the industry? Do they rece...

Ep. 403: An Era Of Completion

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have entered an era of completion. They’ve had so many open projects, but now some are wrapping up — or at least moving to t...

Ep. 402: We Declare Ourselves Content Creators And So Should You

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah have decided that it’s time to embrace the identity of “content creator” — in the evolving world of Hollywood, i...

Ep. 401: Crisis Fatigue & Sarah’s No Buy List

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Along with everyone else in Los Angeles, Liz and Sarah are feeling so much love for their city. But they’re also suffering from crisis fatigue. ...

Ep. 400: Celebrating 400 Episodes & Team Theme 2025!

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Episode 400 of Happier In Hollywood! Liz and Sarah are so grateful to all the listeners who are part of their dynamic podcast community! In...

Ep. 399: The Joy Of Being In Charge

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are thrilled to announce that Happier In Hollywood has moved to Lemonada Media! It’s 2025, and Liz and Sarah are VERY excited abou...

Ep. 398: Haunted (In A Good Way)

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“Is this just a dirge?” Liz and Sarah discuss how a question from mega-producer and friend of the pod David Hoberman about a show they wer...

Ep. 397: Lizness School With Liz Dolan

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah sit down with friend of the pod, Satellite Sister Liz Dolan, to talk about her new podcast Lizness School, which chronicles her fas...

Ep. 396: Fear Of Failure To Be Compelling

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by the CIA (yes, really), Liz and Sarah talk about the notion of a “failure to be compelling.” From now on, they’re going t...

Bonus Book Club Episode: We Solve Murders

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a Happier In Hollywood Bonus Book Club Episode, Liz and Sarah dive into their discussion of Richard Osman’s new book, We Solve Murders. ...

Ep. 395: Pilot Notes & Hunting For Disproportionate Joy

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah got notes on their latest pilot script — and they were knocked on their asses! But they’ve regrouped and are moving forward ...

Ep. 394: Authenticity & The Joy Of Mad Money

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Thanksgiving! Liz and Sarah reflect on the power of authenticity — and how women are often trained out of being authentic in the workplace...

Ep. 393: Plan Post-Notes Recovery Time

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah will soon receive notes on their latest pilot script, and they know they’ll need to plan some recovery time before they dive into ...

Ep. 392: Hollywood Holiday Shut Down

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s November, which means the annual Hollywood Holiday Shut Down has begun. Liz and Sarah have a pitch ready to sell, but they’ll likely ...

Bonus Episode: HIH 2024 Gift Guide!

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Bonus Episode, Liz and Sarah share their 2024 Gift Guide! They recommend everything from a cute tape measure to personalized pencils to a Harr...

Ep. 391: Hollywood Present & Future With Carole Kirschner

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah sit down with friend of the pod and Entertainment Career Coach, Carole Kirschner, to discuss the state of Hollywood and what the future ...

Ep. 390: Fall 2024 Burning Listener Questions: Part Two

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah announce their HIH Book Club selection — We Solve Murders by Richard Osman. Then they dive into more listener questions!...

Ep. 389: Fall 2024 Burning Listener Questions: Part One

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are answering all of your burning questions! What are their biggest regrets — personally and professionally? Which episode of TV t...

Ep. 388: Some Notes Never Go Away

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Liz and Sarah rewrite their latest pilot script, they’re reminded that some notes never go away. From story area to outline to script, there ...

Ep. 387: Pilot Progress & Taking A “Sick” Day

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah are making progress on their pilot script — it’s gone to the producer. In this uncertain time in Hollywood, they’re ma...

Ep. 386: The Ease Of One Thing

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Right now Liz and Sarah are totally focused on writing their pilot script, and they’re loving that their time isn’t bifurcated or trifurca...

Ep. 385: Blank Page Stress & Dressing Up

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Liz and Sarah write the first draft of their new pilot script, they remember all over again how hard it is to face a blank page. Rewriting is so mu...

Ep. 384: Set A Fall Agenda & Talking Even The Rich

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s September, and Liz and Sarah are setting their fall work agenda. They plan to write a pilot, pitch at least one show, finish their novel, a...

Ep. 383: Embrace The Heads Up

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk about getting a “heads up” before a notes call, and why having notes in advance is so helpful to the development process. In Ta...

Ep. 382: Work Together Wednesdays

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Based on the level of productivity and flow they had during their recent time together in Ojai, Liz and Sarah are determined to spend more time in the...

Ep. 381: Million Dollar Advice!

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to know how to deal with a toxic work environment? Curious about the best way to give feedback to a Gen Z staffer? Wondering if you should change...

Ep. 380: Revisiting Upward Spirals & Skinny Versus Fat IP

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah recently met with a development executive who pointed out that no matter how chaotic Hollywood gets, the work we do is the same. They di...

Ep. 379: Being Consequential & Sarah’s Wellness Journal

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah use several criteria when choosing which TV projects they want to pursue — a world they love, interesting characters, stories with leg...

Ep. 378: Double Roar 24!

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of All Work August, Liz and Sarah started the month with an intense two days of work at Sarah’s house in Ojai. They realized all over again...

Ep. 377: All Work August! (And Liz’s Hiking Gear)

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah had a delightful No Work July, but it’s time to put their noses to the grindstone — thus, it’s All Work August. They’re writing ...

Ep. 376: No Work July!

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For years Liz and Sarah have fantasized about taking the month of July off work. This year they’re actually having No Work July, and it’s amazing!...

Ep. 375: To Dream Crush Or Not To Dream Crush?

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah debate whether they should be cheerleaders or naysayers when offering advice and insight to people thinking about starting a career in H...

Ep. 374: To Adapt Or Not To Adapt?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Right now, Hollywood is all about intellection property. Liz and Sarah discuss what they look for in a book (or any other kind of material) when they’...

Ep. 373: Conquering The Loneliness Epidemic With Kristen Meinzer & Jolenta Greenberg

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz and Sarah talk to the fabulous podcast hosts, Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg, about the new season of How To Be Fine, which dives into the...